Geography Should Not
LIMIT OPPORTUNITY.
We are The Ballantyne Project Society, We advance education, provide mentorship, and life skills for Indigenous youth and young adults from remote and Northern communities across Canada.
Since 2022, The Ballantyne Project Society has been providing 7 day #WeSeeYou trips to introduce youth to educational and career opportunities through hands-on and in-person experiences.
Our award winning programs have been specifically designed around the experiences of our founder, Dwight Ballantyne, who grew up in a northern First Nation in Saskatchewan for 21 years. When he moved to BC for education and work in 2016, he understood why so many Indigenous youth struggle to adapt to a completely foreign urban environment.
We are also excited to announce the addition of Andrew, “Dreadful Bird”, who offers life coaching through his world renowned workshops.
2025 BC Reconciliation - Phyllis Webstad emerging leader award
Dwight Ballantyne was honoured as the inaugural recipient of the 2025 BC Reconciliation – Phyllis Webstad Emerging Leader Award. He received the award on January 29, 2026 at Government House in Victoria, BC, presented by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia alongside Phyllis Webstad. This recognition acknowledges Dwight’s leadership and his commitment to creating opportunities and pathways for Indigenous youth across Canada.
“My life had just begun, at the age of 21.”
We see you, because we ARE you
Dwight Ballantyne grew up in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, a remote First Nation in northern Saskatchewan. For the first 21 years of his life, access to education, career exploration, and opportunity was limited by geography and isolation. When Dwight left his community to pursue new pathways, the experience reshaped his understanding of what was possible and highlighted the importance of access, exposure, and support for youth from remote and Northern communities. Today, Dwight brings that lived experience into his work supporting Indigenous youth and young adults through education, mentorship, and life skills programming designed to help them explore future pathways beyond their home communities.
Dwight Ballantyne
“We’ve got time, safety and ability”
Finding the moment
Andrew is Cree and originally from Saskatchewn but now calls BC home with his family. He was raised by his single mother, had an alcoholic father, lived in over 25 different homes, attended several schools and was homeless at 14. He chased, and achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He has shared his messages of hope with hundreds of thousands, appeared twice as a TEDxTalk presenter, and has over one million followers worldwide across social media platforms.
Now he is sharing his story, spreading tools to find gratitude and offering them to everyone so they can use them to change the trajectory of their life.
Andrew, Dreadful Bird
OUR MISSION:
Build Knowledge, Confidence and Opportunity
The Ballantyne Project is a community-based organization that advances education and mentorship for Indigenous youth and young adults from remote and Northern communities across Canada. Through structured educational workshops, presentations, and experiential learning programs, we provide youth with opportunities to explore education, training, and career pathways, while building practical life skills and confidence to navigate new environments.
How The Ballantyne Project Works
Build a relationship + establish trust with a First Nation
Listen to + learn about the needs of that First Nation
Find the right partners to activate projects that fulfill those needs
Grow + maintain those projects to ensure long-term success
Only 11% of Indigenous youth from remote communities will graduate and go on to post-secondary or trades training. Only 4.5% will complete.
Only 11% of Indigenous youth from remote communities will graduate and go on to post-secondary or trades training. Only 4.5% will complete.
On average, 77-90% of participants in our #WeSeeYou trips want to pursue post-secondary education
On average, 77-90% of participants in our #WeSeeYou trips want to pursue post-secondary education
#WeSeeYou trips
The Ballantyne Project delivers structured educational and life skills programs known as #WeSeeYou Trips for Indigenous youth and young adults from remote and Northern First Nations across Canada.
Education, Mentorship, and Life SkillS
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The Ballantyne Project delivers structured educational and life skills programs known as #WeSeeYou Trips for Indigenous youth and young adults from remote and Northern First Nations across Canada. These programs bring youth and accompanying chaperones to the Lower Mainland of British Columbia for 7–10 day cohort-based stays, where participants take part in hands-on educational experiences, career exploration, and practical life skills learning in a supportive, supervised environment. Programs are delivered multiple times throughout the year. Participants stay together in program accommodations at The Bridge House in Maple Ridge, BC, which serves as the primary program base for learning, mentorship, and daily activities.
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Each #WeSeeYou Trip is designed around a specific educational or career theme and may include:
Hands-on learning experiences with post-secondary institutions or training partners
Exposure to career and educational pathways in areas such as trades, culinary arts, healthcare, or entrepreneurship
Life skills development, including communication, organization, time management, and navigating new environments
Group reflection, mentorship, and guided discussions Youth are selected through an application process in collaboration with their home communities, and each cohort includes chaperones identified by the community. Participation is provided at no cost to youth.
Ryan D.
“The three of you make such a great team. It was hard to swallow that lump in my throat many times. Shaking my head at the moment thinking about the endless possibilities.
I’m ready to come back to school.”
In 2023, The Ballantyne Project was honoured to receive the BC Achievement Indigenous Business Award.
Watch to learn more about the WeSeeYou Trips and the powerful impact they’ve had
#WeSeeYou
#WeSeeYou
Our SPONSORS
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